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P O E T R Y/ H U M O R
The Fine Art of Eggshell Walking
Retired-married-winter is a tough combination
I used to be paid for offering advice.
Now that I’ve retired
I can’t give it away.
Seems people already know everything
I’m told the Navajo
describe a busybody
as a person who tells the sheep
which weeds to eat —
that’s what it feels like I’m doing
Retired-Married-Winter
tough combination
like living in a submarine
rubbing elbows all the time
even the smallest dustup can
send the crew scurrying to battle stations.
Advice: learn the fine art of eggshell walking,
it’s an underrated but essential survival skill
Yesterday the crew found themselves in the torpedo room.
It began when my wife told me I’m cautious.
She might even have meant it as a compliment
but I hate it. When I was growing up,
men were supposed to be decisive, bold.
Bold men drank a bold ale, as the jingle went.
That’s the way it was
